to join that club on a permanent contract. In the January transfer window, Míchel joined AEK Athens on loan until the end of the season. League Two club Burton Albion intended to take 16-year-old winger Nathan Redmond on loan, but the move fell foul of regulations forbidding first-year scholars to sign on loan for League clubs. Tottenham Hotspur winger David Bentley and Nigerian international striker Obafemi Martins came in on loan, and Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for an estimated £3.5M fee. Sebastian Larsson, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season, was given permission to speak to Newcastle United about a possible transfer, but personal terms were not agreed, and Kevin Phillips was told he could leave if "the right offer" were received. Among those players released at the end of the season when their contracts expired were first-teamers Larsson, Phillips, Jiránek, Lee Bowyer, Maik Taylor and Stuart Parnaby and fringe players Marcus Bent, Jay O'Shea, Dan Preston and Robin Shroot. All the loanees returned to their owning clubs. In Brackets round club names indicate the player's contract with that club had expired before he joined Birmingham. Out Brackets round a club denote the player joined that club after his Birmingham City contract expired. Loan in Loan out Appearances and goals Source: References Birmingham City F.C. seasons Birmingham City